Robert a



' Patented Sept. 9,1919.

2 $HEETS-SHEET I.

'rm: cum/nun n-MNnnnAPn'cm, WASHINGTON. n. c.

vR. A. BROOKS.

FLUSH| NG APPARATUS. APPLICATION man 01.1.27, 1911.

Patented Sept. 9, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- WWQGM Z1 THE cowmum PLANOGRAPH c0, wAsumai-ou, o. c.

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Runner A. Beam, or card ac, imam;

rLUsHING APPARAT S.

Application filed October 27; 191?:

citizen of the United States,residing at Gliicago, in the county of Cook and: State of. Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flushing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The siphonic device-which is an important part of my present invention mayhbe regarded as a modification of and improve- Inent upon asiphonic device for flushing water closets described in my Patent No. 1,265,601, May 17 .1918. One object of the present invention-is thesproduction ofan improved siphonie flushing device having the mode of operation hereinafter described, and having structuraladvantages in the way of simplicity, strength, durability, convenience and economy of construction, certainty of operation, etc rendering it highly useful and desirable, and winch shall include a certain novel and etficient arrangement for producing an afterwash or1refill of thecloset bowl after the termination of the flushing operation. A further obJect ofmy invention is the provision of means whereby my device is adapted for installation either in a situation where thesupply mainsupplies water at high pressure, or wherelthe water is supplied at a relatively low pressure. With the foregoing and incidental i objects and advantages in view I have devised and in vented the flushing apparatus illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and hereinafter described, the essential elements of my in 1vontion being recited in the appended claims.

Of the drawing Figure 1 is a central vertical section through :one of my novel siphonie flushing devices arranged for delayed actuation by :means of the release or raising ota closet seat; Fig. 2 is a view of the upper part of the same showing amoditied form of lever arrangedfor direct actuation; Fig. 3 isa view, somewhatdiagramniatic, of a battery of connected closets equipped with my new; flushing devices, showing an auxiliary or a supplementary tanltconnected to the supply pipe, whereby the installation is adapted to beused inconnection with a service pipe under relatively low pressure; and Figs. 4 and 5 are crosssections of the flushing device, Fig. 4 being taken in a plane lying immediately above the piston 24:, and Fig. 5 in a plane lying Specification of Letters ratht.

Patented Septut), Serial-No. mesa.

immediately above the "check valve "sea-t at itself not beingshown,

The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in an the fignres of the =drawlngs. i a

Referring to 'Fig. 3 of the drawings, water from. the service pipe t1 is admitted to the master tank 2 through a float --eo"ntrolled valve '3 which is preierably of large capacity, 1 but ofanydesired andsnitable eonstructibna As illustrated,thetank may be conveniently arranged at the height at which tanks used in connection with a siphonic flushing valve are usually arranged,'-j-say about seven or eight feet above the floor, although by employing larger flushing pipes, the height may be iless, if desired. with thelbottoni of the master-tank :is i a line of piping 4 "constituting a common supply plpe which extends horizontally through or adjacent the rear of all the closets of the system. Atintervals =in=the "line of closets. say at every twentieth or thirtieth closet, supplementary or reserve tanks 5 are .ar-'

the bottom "of the tanlr 17, the check-valve Communicating ranged in unrestricted communication with the piping &,the number wof these tanks be- 1 mg dependenton .thesupply of water -af-' forded by the service pipe 1, and also, to

by whichit issecured to the top ofthelfiuslr ing;pipe 1 1. :Inalinement withithe flushingkpipe andwseoured in'a threaded seaton theinside of the casing is'aapipe J12 which constitutes the upper portion ot thedescending leg ofthe siphon, .andithewproportions-and arrangement of :the i parts i of it-he flushing device and master a tank 1 are {such a that thenorma]v water level inxthe former willibe a short distance below the topofithe pipe .112. The capwplatefi is formed "Wlllllwit depending tube 13 concentric with the pipe "so "14 and 'betweenthe tubes 12 and 16 into tank 17 which constitutes the reservoir of a retarding and repelling device. The tank 17 and easing 6 are further connected by a second short pipe 18 making screw-threaded engagementat its bottom with a threaded orifice in the top of the cap plate 7 and at its top secured by a nut 18 to a seatin the bottom of the tank 17. V

In aXial alinement with the tube 16 (the upper end of which lies a short-distance belowethe bottom of the tank 17) is arranged a short tube-or stand-pipe 19 secured to the bottom of the tank and closed at its top except for a small vent orifice 20. The tank also communicates through theinterior of the tube with the space therebelow by meansof a drain opening or refill port 21 .j-ust above the:bott0m of the tank. The eX- terior of the tube 19 is threadedtosupport anadjusting nut 22, and between this nut and a valve seat at the bottom of thetank is arranged a check-valve 23,see Figs. 1

and v5,+which permits a regulated fiow of water upwardly through the valve openings 23, and. prevents downward flow of the Water therethrough. 'Siphonle actlon 1n my new flushing device is positivelyinitiated by the downward movement of a, piston 24 arranged to recip- .rocate in the lower portion of the casing 6 asv a piston chamber. This movement of the piston forces the water underneath it through the ports 14 upwardly between the tubes 12 and 16, the larger part of it filling the latter tube and initiating the flush, and a portion of it passing past the check valve 23 (and to a small extent through the 'vent orifice 20 and refill port 21) to the inside of the tank 17, filling it to a level a certain distance above the vent orifice 20. After the piston 2 1 has seated the siphonic flow. from the piping 4 through the ports L the latter tube and flushing pipe 11 has been established, the check valve 23 will descend upon its seat, andthereafter water from the tank 17 will gradually escape,

both through the vent orifice 20 and refill .port -21,-until the level of the water sinks to the ventorifice, when air will enter and break the siphon. The remainder of the vwater'in theftank will then escape gradually through the refill port and constitute the refill flow. The amount of water which passesin'to the tank and consequently the length of the flushing action is governed by the position of the adjusting nut 22, which serves as a stop for the eheck-valve 23, and thus controls and regulates the amount of water which may pass around the valve. It may here be explained that the fit of the piston rod 26, hereinafter described, in the pipe 18 is as close as it can be made without causing undue friction so that the passing of water around the rod does not materially affect the action which has just been described.

In the form of my device shown in Fig. 1 the normal position of the piston 2a is at the bottom of the cylinder, and in the use of the closet the depression of the closet seat (which is normally slightly raised) acts through suitable connections in a wellknown manner to depress one end of an intermediately pivoted operating lever 25 which at its other end is connected with the piston 24 by the piston rod 26 above-mentioned and which is arranged in the pipe 18. The piston preferably is lifted somewhat above the bottom of the openings into the cylinder of the piping 4, so that such water as is withdrawn from between the tubes 12 and 16 into the space below the piston is immediately returned by a free flow from such piping through the ports 11 to restore the water level in the siphon to its normal level, and the subsequent release or raising of the seat permits the piston and associated parts (which are preferably sufiiciently heavy to return positively by force of gravity) to descend to their normal position, thus causing a flushing operation as above described. The piston is preferably loose fitting, however, and even if the actuating connections should be so adjusted that the piston when lifted did not clear the pipe openings, the water level between the pipes 12 and 16 would very quickly be restored by leakage past the piston. A spring .suitably connected may of course be used if necessary to effect the return of the piston and associated parts to normal position.

VJith the form of operating connections shown in Fig. 2, the piston is norn'ially held in uppermost position by means of a weighted lever 27 pivoted on a bracket 28 secured to the tank 17. By means of a chain pull the lever may be rocked to depress the piston, effecting an immediate flush of the closet, as before.

It will be understood that while the improved form of flushing device which has just been described is well adapted for use in installations where the pressure is high and capable of supplying to a master tank connected to separate flushing devices in the several closets an abundant flow of water, sufficient to directly supply the maximum number of devices which are liable to beflushed at any one time, yet, in order: to

enable it to be used under conditions where a high pressure is not available, I have pro vided the supplementary or auxiliary tanks 5 above mentioned, whereby the flushing devices may be successfully used in situations where the pressure is relatively low, this arrangement being particularly useful in the installation of a large battery of closets. Moreover, the use of auxiliary tanks en ables the size of the piping 4 and fittings to be reduced to a minimum, s1 nce the supply of water which they aiford adjacent any particular device being flushed relieves measurably the demand which a flow from the master tank alone would otherwise supply. Such tanks also enable my devices to be used in installations,-particularly those consisting of a large number of closets,in which the How of water which may be required for the flushing of a number of closets at once is liable to exceed the maximum communication at itsupper end with said supply pipe, a siphon the ascending leg of which has ported communication with the lower end of said piston chamber, and a piston in said chamber arranged to force water through said portand; siphon during the first portion of its downward stroke, and at the conclusionthereof place the space thereabove in communication. through said a port with the siphon. 2. In a flushing device, a supplypipe, a casing inclosing a piston chamber in iree communication at one endwith said supply pipe, a siphon the ascendingleg otwhich has ported communication with the other" end of said piston chamber, and. a piston in said. chamber arranged to force water through said port and siphon during the first portionof its stroke from the end opposite saidport, and atthe conclusion thereof place the spacetherein on the opposite. side of the piston iin communication through said port with the siphon. w

3. In a fiushingrdevice, a supply pipe, a

casing inclosing a piston chamber extending downward below the levelof the water supply pipe and at its upper end'inufree com munication therewith, ai siphon the ascending. leg oiiiwhichois in, communicationwith the: lower end of said piston chamber, and

a piston in-said piston chamber arranged to forcewater through said ascending leg of the siphon to initiate: a flush.

at. In a flushing device, a supply pipe, a casing inclos-i11g piston chamber in free communication atits upper end with said supply pipe,- a tube extending below the bottom ofsaidcasing to form a flushing pipe I and extendingvertically through and above the bottom thereof to form the upper portionlof thedescending leg of asiphon, a second tube arranged to be sealed at its top surrounding the upper portion of said firstmentioned tube and extending into and opening at its bottom within said casing and constitutingthe ascending legof the siphon, andan orificed piston insaid piston chamber surroundingsaid second tube and arranged to force water through the siphon passages to initiate a flush. In: a flushing device, a: supply pipe, a casing inclosing a piston chamber in free communication at its upper end withsaid supply pipe, a tube extending below the bottom of said casing to form a flushing pipe andwex-tending vertically through and above the bottom thereof to form the upper por- 1 tion of the descendingi leg'of a siphon, a second tube concentrically surrounding the upperrportionof said first-mentioned tube extending into and opening at its bottoln within said casing. and constituting the as cending leg of the siphon, a tank arranged with its bottom wall lying above the top of said last mentioned tube and secured to the top. or said: second tubeand having a drain POrtwiIl alinement with said second tube, andwan orificed piston in' said piston chamber surroundingwsaid second tube and arranged to force water through the siphon passages and also into said tank.

6. In aflushing- ClQVlCB, a supply pipe, a

casing-1; inclosing aplston chamber in free communication at its upper end with said supply pipe, a tube extendlng below the bottom ofsaid casin to form a fiushin a a b u h pipe and extending vertically through and p above thebottom thereof to form the upper portion ofwthe descending leg of a siphon, a seconditube concentrically surrounding the upper portion of said first mentioned tube extend ingwinto and opening. at its bottom 3 Within said" casing" and constituting the ascending leg of thesiphon, a tank arranged with its bottom wall lying above: the top of saidlast-Inentioned tube and secured tothe top oiisaidl second tube, and having restricted communication therewith, a third tube openmglat 1ts top 111130 sald tankand at its bottom 1ntolsa1d'cas1ng,:an OIJfiCBClPlStOll in said pistona chamber surrounding said second tube and arrangedxto force water through the siphon-passages and also into said tank, and

a piston rod connected to said piston and arranged Within said third tube. 1 7. In siphonic, flushing apparatus, a retarding and refilling device comprising a tank arranged above the top of the siphon, a passage incommunication with the top of the siphon and terminating inside the tank at a vent orifice, above the bottom thereof, a drain opening leading from the bottom of the tank into the discharge. leg ofthe si phon, and means for filling said tank with water above the level of said Vent opening at the beginning of each flushing 'opera tion.' 7

8. In siphonic flushing apparatus, a re tarding and refilling device comprising a tank arranged above the top of thesiphon, a stand pipe communicating with the top of the siphon and arranged within said tank and having a vent orifice at its top and a drain port at its bottom arranged to drain into the discharge leg of the siphon, and means for supplying said tank with-a charge of water to seal said vent orifice and drain openlng atthe beginning of each flushing operation. 7

9. In siphonic flushing apparatus, a;re-

tarding and refilling device comprising a tankarranged above the top of .the siphon,

a stand pipe communicating with the top of the siphon and arranged Within said tank and having a vent orifice at its top and a drain'port at its bottom arranged to drain into the discharge leg of the. siphon, i3, check-valve between the top of the siphon and the tank permitting a governed flow of water into the tank, and means for forcing a charge of water through the siphon passages to initiate a flush and supply the tank with a charge of water for sealing communication between-the tank and siphon.

10.111 siphonic flushing apparatus, a re-;

tarding and refilling device comprising a tank arranged above the top of thesiphon, a stand pipe communicating'with the top of the siphon and arranged within said tank and having a vent orifice at its top and a drain port at its bottom arranged to drain into the dischargeleg of the siphon, an ad justing nut screw-threaded in said stand pipe, a check valve loosely mounted on-said stand pipe between saidnut and its'seat at siphon passagesto initiate a flush and supply the tank with a charge of water for sealing communication between the tank and siphon. V c

11. In flushing apparatus a siphon hav-: ing a vertical open-top tube constltuting its descending leg, and a concentric open-bottom tube constituting its ascendlng'leg, a

tank "arrangedabove said siphon tubes, thebottom wall of the tank constituting the top of the siphon, a vent tube in said tank communicating with the top of the siphon and with a vent opening in said tank above the bottom thereof, the tank also communicating with the top of the siphon through a drain port opening above said first-mentioned tube, and means for filling said tank with Water above the level of said Vent opening at the beginning of each flushing operation.

12. In flushing apparatus a siphon having a vertical open-top tube constituting its descending leg, and a concentric open-bottom tube constituting its ascending leg, a tank arranged above said siphon tubes, the bottom Wall of the tank constituting the top of the siphon, a short stand pipe in said tank in alinement with said first-mentioned tube, said stand pipe having a vent opening at its top and a drain port adjacent the bottom of the tank, and means for filling said tank with water above the level of said vent opening at the beginning of each flushing operation.

'13.'Flushing apparatus for a large battery of water-closets comprising a single master tank, means for maintaining a constant level of water therein, a common line of supply piping extending through all the closets, flushing devices individual to the elosetsand each arranged to flush its particular closet through direct flow from the supply piping, and supplementary tanks arranged at intervals in said line of supply piping and in free communication therewith. I

14:. In a flushing device for Water-closet apparatus including means for maintaining a supply of water at a constant level, a casing communicating with the Water supply and having a tubular extension 16 extending above the water level, tubular piping secured to and extending below the bottom of said casing to form a flushing pipe 11 and extending vertically through and above the bottom thereof to form the uppermost portion 12 of the descending leg of a siphon, a tubular member 13 continuous with the tubular extension 16 secured to and extending downwardly within said casing and opening into the casing adjacent its bottom, the space between said tubular extension 16 and tubular member 13 and said portion 12 of the piping constituting the ascending leg of the siphon, and means within the casing for forcing water through the opening at the bottom of said tubular member 13 into and through said space to 1,315,207 a a i a 5.

cation therewith, a flushing device indiwith the flushing pipe and the top of which vidual to each closet comprising a casing inis above the Water level of the system, and a closing a piston chamber in communication a piston in said piston chamber arranged 10 With said supply pipe, a siphon the ascendto force Water through said ascending leg 5 ing leg of which is in coinn'lunication With of the siphon to initiate a flush.

the lower end of said piston chamber and a the descending leg of which is continuous ROBERT A. BROOKS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washingtoxni). G." 

